Falcons’ quoteboard after rout of Bucs

HEAD COACH MIKE SMITH

OPENING STATEMENT

“I’m very pleased with the way that we came off a short week. We wanted to be as fresh as we cold possibly be, and I thought the guys responded extremely well in all three phases of the game: offense, defense and special teams. We played smart, solid football for the most part. (We had) some penalties that we’d like to have back that negated some explosive plays for us.

“I’d like to offer my congratulations to Devin Hester for breaking the record with 20 return touchdowns. He had a great nigh, and he’s been a great addition to our football team.

“We still have a long way to go in our opinion. I thought the staff did an outstanding job this week, not only the players, but the coaching staff on a three day week. There were a lot of short nights We had to sleep fast, and they did an outstanding job. We’ll take a couple of day off, in terms of the players and we’ll be back to work on Monday with our team getting prepared for a very difficult road game in Minnesota. We need to make the corrections and get focused on the Minnesota Vikings.”

On Matt Ryan setting the single-game completion percentage mark

“We had no doubt as a coaching staff, I don’t think anyone should every doubt that Matt Ryan was going to come back and have a good game after the game last week. He was on top of his reads, where to go with the football. There was some precise route running for the most part. He spun it about as well as he has spun since we’ve been here and congratulations to Matt, over 85 percent completion. When you’re making first downs on first down, and when you’re making first downs on second downs it makes it a whole lot easier. We were 8 of 11 on third downs, but we were making first downs on first down and first downs on second downs. That’s the way you want to make them. You don’t want to get to third down on offense.”

QUARTERBACK MATT RYAN

On scoring 56 points

“Our objective as an offense is to try and score ever time we touch the ball. Tonight, we did a pretty good job of putting up some points. Special teams added to it and the defense added to it. Defense had a turnover-interception for a touchdown and also had a fumble recovery that put us on the 1-yard line. Field position like that is pretty good. All three phases contributed to the scoring and great effort across the board.”

CENTER JOE HAWLEY

On the opening drive

“The opening drive was everything. We set the tempo offensively. We got a good rhythm. That’s what we struggled with last week, getting into a rhythm. We moved the ball. We passed the ball and really set the tempo for the whole game.

WIDE RECEIVER DEVIN HESTER

On what Deion Sanders said to him

“He was just so happy. You know he said he almost pulled a hamstring toward the end zone with me. I love that guy, man. He is very emotional about the situation, too.

DEFENSIVE END STANSLY MAPONGA

On having some thing to prove

“Yes, I think we had a chip on our shoulder after the loss last week. We wanted to play extremely aggressive against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and make a strong statement as a defense. At the same time, we have to give a lot of credit to the offense because they set the tone for the entire team. It certainly helps the defense when the offense is as productive as they were tonight.”

On the defensive game plan

“Coming into the game we knew the Buccaneers were going to try to establish the running game. To that end, we made a point this week to minimize their running back attack, and as a result that would give us more chances on third downs pass rushing situations. This resulted in a couple of quarterback sacks which was another one of the objectives on defense.”

RUNNING BACK STEVEN JACKSON

On the offense

“We were very fortunate tonight to get this win – it was a collective effort. The defense created a lot of turnovers and as an offense we found ways to score points. I think we had great momentum throughout the game. I think guys played hard in all three phases of the game.”

SAFETY KEMAL ISHMAEL

On his interception

“It was the perfect alignment. We worked on this in practice when studying their routes. I noticed it, recognized it; I saw the opportunity and jumped in there and made a play.”